The popular Woodside Preliminary Challenge welcomed a record entries 57 this year. With $15,000 up for grabs in both the Horse and Rider divisions and an exciting evening Gala with the top 10 running in reverse order of go, it’s no wonder it attracts a great group of competitors and enthusiastic supporters.

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Tristen Hooks took the early leads in their respective divisions and never let go throughout the next two phases. Preliminary Challenge competitors were the first to tackle Ian Stark’s redesigned country course on Saturday morning, and both Frankie and Tristen flew around clear, coming in just seconds under the optimum time to hold their positions.

On Saturday evening, dinner and a silent auction added ambiance to the show jumping finale. The top 10 in each division took to the Sarah Duborst-designed show jumping at 6 p.m. and kept the crowd on their toes to the end.

In the Rider division, a single rail separated second through 11th place, so the pressure was on to produce a clear round. The eventual top eight finishers all produced double-clear rounds and the top four since the dressage phase remained unchanged. Tristen and her own Holsteiner gelding did not have a rail in hand, but there’s a reason they have such a good record at Preliminary, and they finished clear for the win.

Tristen got her 15-year-old partner “Fly” from a friend’s backyard. She is thrilled with how he has come up the levels and his enthusiasm for the sport. Fly, a Holsteiner/Dutch cross, got quite a few peppermints, and Tristen won quite a few awards for their performance today!

Tristen and third place team Julie Flettner and Ping Pong have put a team together to go up to Inavale and compete in Area VII’s Adult Team Rider Challenge. “It’s going to be a blast!” Tristen said, smiling from ear to ear. After Inavale they are heading to Arizona for Coconino and are looking forward to traveling out of state.

“I think this is the coolest event we have in California,” Tristen said. “It was so exciting to go trotting in and hear the crowd cheering for you and then all the applause when you finish your round. It’s like the Preliminary Olympics or Rolex!”

And that is precisely why the Woodside Preliminary Challenge Rider division draws so many entries. Many of these riders have no plans to compete above Prelim, and this is their chance to experience not only the atmosphere, but a chance at the prizes as well!

Preliminary Horse

Frankie’s German Warmblood gelding Chatwin has been battling an eye infection for months, but he had been cleared by his vets to compete just in time for the Preliminary Horse Challenge.

“While most likely he will need to have surgery to fix his eye for the long term so that he has no infection risks down the road, right now at this moment and this week, the best thing for Chatwin is to get to go to a horse show and be a horse for a little bit!” she wrote on her Facebook page earlier this month.

Chatwin was glad to be back, and Frankie said in a post-cross country interview that Chatwin was full of running on course. Hours later they were double-clear in show jumping to secure a sweet victory in the Horse division and their fourth consecutive win at the Preliminary/one-star level.

Seven-year-old Chatwin is getting a check-up for his eye this week, and hopefully his cornea will have sealed completely. Frankie and Chatwin would like to thank all the eye doctors and vets at UC Davis for taking such good care of him. “I can’t wait to call them all and tell them how well he did.”

If Chatwin is cleared to carry on, Frankie will be moving him up to Intermediate at Copper Meadows. “It really means a lot to me to get to do that,” Frankie said, and his performance today certainly showed it! “He’s such a great personality.”

In addition, we’d like to congratulate Frankie and her husband, Mike. They are expecting! “I’ll keep riding him until August, and then Tamie Smith will take over the ride on him for the rest of the season,” Frankie said. “Because he had time off for his eye, I really want to be able to let him have the rest of the season, even if I don’t get to!”

Looks like it will be a banner year for both Frankie and Chatwin!

Thanks Robert Kellerhouse and the whole Woodside Eventing crew for another great Preliminary Challenge!

Who Will Win the West at Rolex? Presented by Ride On Video

When it comes to Rolex, the Pacific Coast is ready to make a huge splash. Pay attention, EN readers, this year we’re making sure they will! Not only are we incredibly proud of everyone competing this year, we also have a record number of West Coast riders making the trip.

In honor of that, EN is teaming up with the incredible Ride On Video team to offer a prize package! Area VI riders are familiar with Bob and Debi Ravenscroft and their company, which proudly proclaims, “We Film Every Ride!” Not just a great way to remember your weekend and all the hard work you put in, the videos also serve as wonderful training tools (with rocking music!).

The chandelier makes its way across the west as well. Taj is a welcome sight to all Area VI competitors! Here they are at Rebecca. Photo courtesy of Ride On Video.

Last year Bob, Debi, their daughter (and rider!) Tayler, and their film crew hit the road for Montana and filmed The Event at Rebecca Farm (AKA the Rolex of the West). Do you want a chance to remember those gallops on the green grass, look back fondly on you and your horse dancing in the sand in Big Sky country, and show everyone just exactly what those clouds looked like as you had your best stadium round to date?

You’re in luck! Ride On Video is generously donating a full video package (dressage, cross country and stadium) at The Event at Rebecca Farm 2015 to the winner of EN’s Who Will Win the West at Rolex Contest!

Mackenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Jenni Autry.

So what do you have to do to win this one of a kind prize? Let us know who the top placed West Coast pair will be and the score you expect them to finish on. Crunch some stats, read some articles and go with your gut.

Jolie Wentworth and GoodKnight. Photo courtesy Sherry Stewart.

Here’s a quick rundown of our West Coast warriors in order of appearance:

James Alliston and Parker

Barbara Crabo and Eveready

Bobby Meyeroff and Dunlavin’s Token

Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against

Jolie Wentworth and GoodKnight

Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair

Mackenna Shae and Landioso

Anna Collier and Gleaming Road

Jordan Linsedt and Revitavet Caputo

John Michael Durr and Esprit de la Danse

Gina Miles and SVR Ron

James Alliston and Tivoli

How to enter: The contest is open to all! Email the name of who you think will be the highest-placed West Coast rider and their final score to westcoaststephanieen@gmail.com no later than Thursday at 8 a.m. EST before the first horse completes dressage. One entry per person please!

What you’ll win: A full video package (dressage, cross country and stadium) at The Event at Rebecca Farm 2015 courtesy of Ride on Video